Camp Doug

Mom, I hope you're not offended by the fact that we've started calling the family cabin Camp Doug after dad.  Kelly started it actually.  She wants to send her boys there to have dad teach them the ways of the woods, take apart toasters and rebuild them and other such boyish delights.

We dabbled in a few such woodsy gaieties this past weekend.  There was frog and toad hunting by lamp light.  

We picked a bounty of choke cherries and made their juice into jelly using the camp stove.

Maxwellie caught his first fish.  Ever.  It's a rock bass in case you're not familiar with them.  

Channing was determined to catch a Walleye.  He did!!  Although he flat out refused to touch it for his picture.

We took a boat ride one evening.  Max was a little scared.  Well, maybe more than a little, but he was a trooper.

I'm looking forward to the day the boys all go to Camp Doug for their multitude of camp activities.  Until then, I will continue to soak up family time.  Every last drop.  

Weekend Wrap Up

As predicted, we continued through our snowy weekend with more hot tubbing, more relaxing, more pure enjoyment of a weekend in the woods.  By Sunday noon, it was time to wrap it up, literally.

This guy was fearless on the sledding hill.  FEARLESS.

Joe & Cassie treated us to sweet potato gnocchi with steamed kale and a sugar free chocolate cake Saturday evening in honor of our upcoming birthday.  Delish!

WM & Joe finally made good on a promise, a promise to make sushi together.  They wrapped and rolled their way to a tasty, tasty lunch.  Fresh veggies.  A little salmon.  Some wasabi and pickled ginger.  YUM.

Channing wrapped it up in his own way with his beloved Sophie doll.  Snuggled together under a blanket on the floor, they watched Rio for the zillionth time.  Seriously zillionth.  

That photo melts my heart.  Totally melts my heart.  

Fall Into Winter

This is Channing, Friday, mid-day at Horseshoe.

This is Channing, Sunday, mid-day at Horseshoe.

Notice anything different?


Our beautiful, crisp fall weekend at the lake turned into a winter wonderland while we listened to the snow's soft whisper as it blanketed the trees.  

The Christmas City of the North Parade in Duluth on Friday night must have inspired Mother Nature.  Grandma Meredith & Papa Doug were kind enough to get there VERY early and save us a prime spot on the curb and next to the free hot cocoa and cookie stand.  With his front row seat, Channing was one very engaged parade watcher.  Bundled next to Anderson in the double stroller, he cheered and he clapped and he danced along with each and every float, band and dance troupe that passed by, begging to go back for more as we made our way back to the car.  Our toes had not yet begun to thaw under the warm blast of the heater, and he was already asking if we could to do it again tomorrow.

Channing refused to keep his mittens on.  They interfered with his clapping.

Saturday night, we celebrated November birthdays with cake.  No your eyes do not deceive you.  That cake is made of meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  Pretty clever isn't it?  Didn't matter what it was made of.  Channing took great delight in singing Happy Birthday yet again.

We squeezed every last drop of goodness out of our cabin weekend, starting Sunday morning with rolled up pancakes, frolicking in the snow and warming up once more gathered around the dining room table making snow people from tube socks.  

Channing had to cover his ears each time the blender roared to life while Kathy mixed the pancake batter.

Yes.  That is a hill.  It is slight.  But it is still a hill.

Then it was over the river, through the woods and back to the likes of laundry piles, sidewalks to shovel and the new work week to ready ourselves for.  And hopefully another dusting of  

Quacktastic

It took nearly three years, but they finally made it back, our friends from northern KY.  Meet Erin, Michael & Madelyn.  They're big fans of Horseshoe.  It might have a little something to do with these.  Aunt Kris' Bloody Marys.  Erin raves about them.  You'd think if she liked to partake in them that well, she'd do a little more to make sure she had them on a regular basis.  Hopefully every three years isn't the trend.

We did it all.  There was a whole lot of relaxing be it with books, with movies or with the iPad.  We braved the bugs to spend a little time in the great outdoors.  What else do you do at the cabin?  

You golf.  With Saturday came the third annual Horseshoe Cup Golf Tournament at Black Bear Golf Course.  Congrats to Michael Ries for taking home the coveted cup.  

By the end of the weekend, a chill filled the air.  It was time for wooly socks, steaming cups of coffee and screen porch time that included down blankets.

Ask anyone.  It was great.  Right up to the very end.  This picture about sums it up.

Labor Day Weekend 2011was quacktastic!!